Lionel – yes, that Lionel – is now a player in the NASCAR collectibles field, and they’re making some killer stuff. This pre-production pair of 1:24 Hendrick Motorsport Impalas is deco’d in 2012 liveries, replicating Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s forthcoming “Diet Mountain Dew” No. 88 and Kasey Kahne’s No. 5 “Farmers Insurance” – sponsored car. The models are well featured, with opening hoods and trunks, steerable wheels, meticulously wired Chevy engines, flip-up roof flaps, and full race interiors jammed with all the gear the real cars haul. The wheels and tires are impressive, as is the chassis and lower engine detail, and the netting on the driver’s side - but the models’ decoration, done in superb tampos (seal coated on the limited edition “Frost” finished 88, and left natural on the primer finish No. 5) is what really sells these images. That, and the fact that the company also recently announced a full line of golden-age “NASCAR Classics”, would seem to indicate that Lionel is on track in more ways than one.

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About the author

I have been a car guy since my early teens. From managing a performance center on Long Island NY to being a partner of the world’s largest traveling global car show series; my career path has taken me on an exciting journey. I have consulted for MTV, McDonalds, Turtle Wax, Dodge and other high profile companies and have been published in multiple automotive journals. Alpha Penguin Publishing recruited me to co-author “The Complete Idiots Guide to Customizing Your Ride” for which one of my cars graces the cover.My diecast addiction began about 12 years back. My girlfriend at the time knew I was saving for a Mustang Cobra. She thought it would be humorous and purchased a diecast version to hold me over for a while. What was an initial joke struck a chord because I was fascinated with how Hot Wheels could make such a cool replica for a buck. The next time we went shopping I stopped in the toy aisle and ended up purchasing additional Hot Wheels and a few Jada vehicles. Well you all know the story from here; one shelf led to a book case. The book case quickly became an apartment filled with hundreds of HotWheels, Jada and other 1:64th scale replicas. Next came my introduction to 1:24th and 1:18th scale die cast and twelve years later I am the proud owner of a collection that is displayed in a 2000sq foot facility with a current count of over 12 thousand unique pieces. My then girlfriend, now wife, has a lot of patience for my hobby and my two little girls enjoy it with us too.Today I find myself fascinated with all scales and all models of customized vehicles. From tuners to rat rods, lead sleds to pro street drag. I do have an appreciation for the well delivered OEM vehicles as well. Most of all I enjoy the hunt to complete a set or series of vehicles. I look forward to being a part of DieCast X Magazine and helping to strengthen, grow and deliver our hobby to people who do not know how rewarding it is to an individual and a family.